General Assembly

The Virginia General Assembly meets annually, beginning on the second Wednesday in January, for 60 days in even-numbered years and 30 days in odd-numbered years, with an option to extend annual sessions for a maximum of 30 days. Because the General Assembly moves very fast, PEC tracks a number of bills and provides comments throughout each session. Please sign up for our email alerts and follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for the most recent updates.

Not sure who your state delegate and senator are? Visit Who’s My Legislator? to find out.

Tracked Bills

Framework for Data Center Reform

More than 25 organizations across Virginia, including PEC, have formed the Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition to urge state lawmakers to study the cumulative effects of data center development across Virginia, and to institute several reforms for the industry. If the Virginia General Assembly fails to take action, unchecked data center expansion will have a disastrous impact on ratepayers, our communities and the environment.

Four pillars make up the framework of the Coalition’s advocacy for responsible action and robust reform. In 2025, several bills were introduced to the Virginia General Assembly thanks to direct legislative and community mobilization action from organizations like PEC and our partners. Read more about the Four Pillars and related data center legislation this General Assembly session in our post.

data center in Loudoun with transmission line

Four Pillars of Data Center Reform

Without strong regulatory and legislative intervention, the risks and costs of the immense infrastructure supporting data centers is destined to …
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Legislative Updates

A group of people in heavy winter coats stand in front of a charter bus in a dark parking lot, smiling at the camera.

Data Center Reform Campaign Continues

In the pre-dawn hours in a Haymarket parking lot, a few dozen people huddled in record cold temperatures as they made their way to the warm glow of a charter bus. Their destination: Richmond. Their …
virginia state capitol

General Assembly Update – Spring 2025

Every day, Piedmont Environmental Council staff engage at the local, state and federal level to shape public policy with an eye toward protecting natural resources and advancing sustainability. These efforts include the annual Virginia General …
Exploring New Public Parks in the Piedmont

Exploring New Public Parks in the Piedmont

Conserved public spaces have measurable impacts on our lives: research shows that spending time outdoors improves both physical and mental health, and can even improve students’ grades, lower blood pressure and drive economic growth. If …
Proposed Oak Hill State Park Hangs in the Balance

Proposed Oak Hill State Park Hangs in the Balance

We need your support to make Oak Hill State Park a reality — please write and call your legislators today!  …
Take Action: Show Support for These Data Center Reform Bills

Take Action: Show Support for These Data Center Reform Bills

As we move to the final days of this year’s General Assembly session, a few very important pieces of legislation related to data center reform are still being considered by conference committees and voted on.  …
A Historic Opportunity: Help Make Oak Hill Virginia's Newest State Park

A Historic Opportunity: Help Make Oak Hill Virginia’s Newest State Park

We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create an expansive new state park in Loudoun County, a proposed park that will protect a National Historic Landmark and offer easy access to the outdoors for millions of …
A Critical Time to Weigh In on Data Center Legislation in Virginia

A Critical Time to Weigh In on Data Center Legislation in Virginia

Things continue to move fast during the third week of this year’s Virginia General Assembly session. We’re making real progress on data center reform, but we need you to weigh in with your state legislators! …
General Assembly has opportunity to create a Smarter Digital Future for Virginia

General Assembly has opportunity to create a Smarter Digital Future for Virginia

Several pieces of legislation have been introduced to reform data center development and protect Virginia ratepayers …
data center in Loudoun with transmission line

Four Pillars of Data Center Reform

Without strong regulatory and legislative intervention, the risks and costs of the immense infrastructure supporting data centers is destined to be passed on to all ratepayers, including other businesses and residents …